Desist From Corrupt Practices, Questionable Wealth Acquisition, Cleric Warns Nigerian Leaders

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By; OLADELE ADEDAYO, Ado-Ekiti

The Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Anglican Communion, Most Rev Olusola Ajayi has warned Nigerian leaders against corrupt enrichment and questionable acquisition of wealth.

The Cleric gave the warning at the weekend in his sermon during the church’s burial procession for the late Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Funminiyi Afuye, held at Saint Peter’s Anglican Church, Oke ‘kere, Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

The cleric however, said that if Nigerian leaders were futuristic and be circumspect of the last day, the country would be peaceful and devoid of crises of corruption, kidnapping, insurgency, vote- buying and other social vices that are threatening the Nigerian society.

Afuye, who presided over the Assembly for three and half years, died of heart attack on October 19, 2022, at the age of 66.

Afuye was brought into the church in a white casket at about 9.54 am and was accompanied by his wife, Titilayo, children and other family members.

The motorcade conveying the corpse  began the procession with a  long convoy at his residence located along Ikere-Ise road, which caused traffic snarl along Ado-Ikere- Akure way for over an hour.

While the men of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), had a hectic day  controlling the vehicles due to the gridlock along that route.

Addressing the congregants during the sermon, Bishop Ajayi, said; “Vanity upon vanity, all is vanity. How I wish all Nigerians, especially our leaders could understand this as preached by God in the Holy Books.

“If they understand, our politicians won’t be buying votes, they won’t be embezzling what is expected to be spent for the citizens, there will be peace in Nigeria and  there won’t be kidnapping, killings and insurgency.

“Today, our roads are bad. Our leaders and big men no longer use the road, they travel in chartered flights around. Nobody is thinking about the common men. It is as bad as that.

“But let me tell you that all those things you are acquiring and accumulating, you won’t take any of them along when death comes.

“The book of Solomon preached that vanity upon vanity, all is vanity. We must take this into our memories. It is not the number of years you live that matters, but how you lived it and who exactly you were when on earth.

“Hon. Funminiyi Afuye didn’t live long, but he was positively impactful. As a politician, he started from the lower cadre and rose to  become a lawmaker and right honourable Speaker.

“Ask yourself today, how are you living your life? It is better you change your ways for you to make heaven”.

His son, Olamide Afuye, described his father as very caring and lovely to his immediate family and the entire people of Ekiti, saying his good deeds will continue to linger in people’s hearts and  speak loudly of his good gestures.

The young Afuye applauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji and other Ekiti leaders as well as the citizens, for demonstrating immense love for the family since the sudden and untimely demise of his father.

Aside Afuye’s widow, Titilayo, dignitaries at the service were, Governors Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, represented by his Deputy, Lucky Ayedatiwa, former Governor Kayode Fayemi and his wife, Bisi, Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Minister of Science and Technology, Senator Olorunnibe Mamora.

Others include: Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Senator Olubunmi Adetumbi, Senator Dayo Adeyeye, Hon. Femi Bamisile, former Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. Tale Omole, members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, politicians, distinguished academia, among others.

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